Early restoration
Repairs to the church building were usually recorded and described in Hawksworth parish registers and the Churchwardens' accounts and from these we get the following information.
17th century
Churchwarden presentments record that Hawksworth church was in a poor state of repair.
1641 onwards the steeple was regularly described as in decay
1664 the records state that the church was in great decay and ruin and the parish was unable to repair it due to the poverty of the parishioners “being all or most tenants”.
1684 the records state:
“the church floor wants paving; the steeple is out of repair; the chancel is out of repair in the roof”.
1690s the church tower was rebuilt. One of the bells is dated and bears the inscription
“God Save This Church I Bagguley R Dubelday Wardens 1698”.
18th century
The last mention in the churchwardens’ presentments of the church being in disrepair is 1718. At the 18th October 1718 parochial visitation order and certificate, the work due to be completed was listed as walls to be whitewashed inside, roof to be repaired, windows to be repaired, pavement to be repaired.
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19th century
In 1812 major renovations took place. Part of the nave wall was rebuilt, the south porch was taken down, a new porch was built at the west entrance and the Rectory was enlarged.
In 1837 the north aisle was added to the church which is commemorated by a stone tablet which records that the church was “enlarged and beautified” at the sole expense of Dr John Storer.
In 1851 church restoration work continued and the chancel was rebuilt of stone with a high pitched slated roof in the autumn, the chancel arch was restored and the east window was filled with stained glass.
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At Easter 1858 a new organ was given to Hawksworth church, probably paid for by the Rector, and erected in an arch on the north side of the chancel.
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In 1866 a new west door with stone arch and mouldings was added, the west porch was removed and the dedication stone was placed in the south wall of the tower.
